Detachable impact protection system for portable data processing system

ABSTRACT

A detachable protection system for protecting a data processing system under rough operation environment. The system includes a housing having a surface for supporting the data processing system, a securing device, disposed on the housing, configured to detachably secure the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the surface, and a handgrip device disposed on each of two opposite sides of the housing. The parts of the protection system are made of materials that provide shock protection to the data processing system by means of elasticity, shape deformation and/or shock absorbance and deflection

RELATED APPLICATION

This application relates to a co-pending patent application Ser. No.______ (attorney docket No. 66396-0390), entitled DETACHABLE INTERFACEDEVICE FOR POWERING PORTABLE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM USING A VEHICLEDIAGNOSTIC PORT, filed concurrently herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to techniques and equipment for protectingportable data processing systems.

BACKGROUND

Portable data processing systems, such as tablet PCs or notebookcomputers, are widely utilized in measuring, testing and/or diagnosing awide range of vehicle conditions. Signals from vehicles and/or othersources, like other diagnostic systems, are input to these dataprocessing systems for further analysis. For instance, a vehiclecompliant with OBD (on-board diagnostics) standard would be equippedwith a signal port, such as an OBD II port, for outputtingself-diagnostic information performed by an on-board computer on thevehicle. The self-diagnostic information may be used by a notebookcomputer with an appropriate vehicle interface circuit and software toperform vehicle diagnostics.

As these computers often are used in rough environments such as garagesor vehicle maintenance centers where the computers occasionally aredropped or collide with vehicles or other equipment. The impacts fromthe drops or collisions often damage the computer systems and render thecomputer systems unusable.

Accordingly, it is desirable to protect computer systems from impactscaused by the occasional collisions or drops. It is also beneficial tohave a protection system that is detachable from computer systems suchthat the size and weight of the computer systems can be reduced when thecomputer do not require impact protections.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes embodiments of a detachable protection systemthat provides impact protection to portable data processing systemsoperating under rough conditions.

An exemplary protection system includes a housing having a surface forsupporting a data processing system and a securing device, such as alatch, configured to secure the data processing system when the dataprocessing system is supported by the surface. The surface of thehousing may form a depth sufficient for receiving the data processingsystem. In one aspect, four corner guards are disposed at four cornersof the housing. The corner guards may assume various shapes and form acushioning wall for four corners of the data processing system when thedata processing system is supported by the surface. In another aspect,the housing includes two handles or handgrips disposed on two oppositesides of the protection system. In one embodiment, each handle orhandgrip may include an arched or contoured body. At least one end ofeach handle or handgrip may be movably or pivotally mounted to thehousing, such that the handle or handgrip moves or shifts relative tothe housing when the handle or handgrip is subject to an applied force.

The parts of the protection system are made of materials that provideshock protection to the protection system and the portable dataprocessing system by means of elasticity, shape deformation and/or shockabsorbance and deflection. Examples of materials for implementing theparts of the protection system include spring steel coated or overmoldedwith rubber, semi-flexible plastics such as Nylon, Polyethylene, PVC,etc., elastomeric (rubber-like) materials such as TPE, neoprene or EPDM,etc., and metals such as spring tempered steel or stainless steel, heattreated aluminum, spring tempered brass, beryllium copper or phosphorbronze in various forms or shapes, such as in strip or wire form. Thesematerials could be in solid or foam rubber form. The parts may have acoating applied thereto by dipping or spraying with a flexible materialsuch as plastisol PVC.

According to one embodiment, an exemplary protection system includes afirst connector and a second connector. The first connector and thesecond connector are disposed on the housing. The first connector isconfigured to detachably couple to a signal port, such as a vehiclediagnostic port, to form signal communications between the protectionsystem and the signal port. The second connector is configured todetachably couple to a docking connector of the data processing system,to form signal communications between the protection system and the dataprocessing system.

According to another embodiment, the protection system is implemented asan interface device that supplies power to a data processing systemusing an output of a vehicle diagnostic port, such as an OBD IIconnector, that outputs self-diagnostic information.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and theaccompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation ofthe examples. The objects and advantages of the present teachings may berealized and attained by practice or use of the methodologies,instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord withthe present teachings, by way of example only, not by way oflimitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the sameor similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary protection system.

FIG. 2 shows a notebook computer connected with the protection systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is the bottom view of the protection system illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 3B shows a variation of a handle design that shifts relative to thebody of the protection system when the handle is subject to an appliedforce.

FIGS. 4A-4E depict details of an exemplary latch assembly useable in theprotection system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of an exemplary protection systemimplemented as a power supply interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilledin the art that the present teachings may be practiced without suchdetails. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components,and circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, withoutdetail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the presentteachings.

The section describes embodiments of detachable protection systems forprotecting and powering a data processing system.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary protection system 100 configured to connectto a notebook computer external to a vehicle, for performing vehiclediagnostics. FIG. 2 shows the protection system 100, external to thevehicle, with an attached notebook computer 200. The protection system100 provides shock protection to the notebook computer 200, andinterfaces between the notebook computer 200 and a vehicle diagnosticport, such as an OBD-II (on-board diagnostic) connector, that outputsself-diagnostic information, and at the same time supplies power to thenotebook computer 200 utilizing the output of the vehicle diagnosticport.

On-Board Diagnostics, or OBD, refers to a vehicle's self-diagnostic andreporting capability. A vehicle compliant to OBD standards includes anon-board diagnostic system that performs self-diagnosis and allows arepair technician access to the state of health information via astandardized diagnostic port. In some cases, diagnostic trouble codes(DTCs) are provided through the standardized diagnostic port to indicateoperation conditions of various subsystems of a vehicle. The OBD-IIstandard is a type of OBD standard that specifies the type of diagnosticconnector, its pinout and the available electrical signaling protocols,and the messaging format. The OBD-II specification provides for astandardized hardware interface: a female 16-pin (2×8) J1962 connector,called an OBD II connector, for outputting DTCs. Under the OBD-IIstandard, pin 16 is dedicated to a battery output (ranging from +9 voltto +16 volt) supplied by a vehicle battery, and pin 4 is provided forchassis ground and is the negative power connection to the vehicle.Embodiments of this disclosure utilize the vehicle power included in theoutput of the vehicle diagnostic port to power a data processing systemand relay diagnostic information output by the vehicle diagnostic portto the data processing system for performing vehicle diagnostics. Whilethere are numerous variations in vehicle diagnostic port standards, itis understood that as long as the output of the vehicle diagnostic portincludes vehicle power supplied by a vehicle battery and/or alternator,concepts disclosed in this disclosure could be utilized to provide powerto any system that requires electricity for operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the protection system 100 includes a housing havinga surface 102 for supporting the notebook computer 200 and two handles112, 114 attached to the body of the protection system 100, to be heldor gripped by the user when operating the notebook computer 200. It isunderstood that the handles 112, 114 may assume various shapes, such ashaving straight, flat, curved, contoured or arched outlines.

A securing device, such as a latch assembly 120, is provided forsecuring the notebook computer 200 when it is supported by the surface102. It is understood that the securing device may be implemented usingmeans well known to people skilled in the art, such as Velcro belts,securing tabs, securing bars or locks, etc. The protection system 100includes a system connector 130 disposed on the surface 102 forconnecting to a matching docking connector disposed on the notebookcomputer 200, for forming signal communications between the protectionsystem 100 and the notebook computer 200. Two securing walls disposed onthe sides of the surface 102, such as securing brackets 124, provideside support to the notebook computer 200, and two locating pins 126matching openings disposed on the notebook computer 200 are provided toassist securing the notebook computer 200. Four corner guards 140-143,protruding from four corners of the protection system 100, provide abarrier or cushioning wall for protecting corners of the notebookcomputer 200 in case the notebook computer 200 and protection system 100are dropped on a hard surface. It is understood that the corner guards140-143 may assume various shapes and/or forms, such as flat tabs,round, triangular, rectangular poles or posts, strips, wire forms, solidor foam, etc. or any combination thereof.

The parts of the protection system 100 are made of materials thatprovide shock protection to the notebook computer 200 by means ofelasticity, shape deformation and/or shock absorbance and deflection.Examples of materials for implementing the parts of the protectionsystem 100 include spring steel coated or overmolded with rubber,semi-flexible plastics such as Nylon, Polyethylene, PVC, etc.,elastomeric (rubber-like) materials such as TPE, neoprene or EPDM, etc.,and metals such as spring tempered steel or stainless steel, heattreated aluminum, spring tempered brass, beryllium copper or phosphorbronze in various forms or shapes, such as in strip or wire form, or anycombinations thereof. These materials could be in solid or foam rubberform. The parts may have a coating applied thereto by dipping orspraying with a flexible material such as plastisol PVC.

In one embodiment, the parts of the protection system 100 provide atwo-stage impact protection. In the first stage of protection, an impactforce is deflected by the protection system 100 by way of elastisity ofthe parts. If the impact force is significant and cannot be completelydeflected, the impact force is further absorbed by the parts of theprotection system 100 by deformation of the parts, which provides thesecond stage of protection. The deformation of the parts of theprotection system 100 reduces the impact force being transmitted to thenotebook computer 200. For instance, if the parts are made of springsteel coated or overmolded with rubber, the parts avoid the lower impactforces being transmitted to the notebook computer 200 by way ofdeflection provided by the elastisity of the rubber and the springsteel. In this protection stage, the spring steel parts are not stressedbeyond their yield point and will spring back to their original shape.When the protection system 100 is subjected to higher impact forces, theparts will absorb the force by deflecting and then deforming. The springsteel parts will be stressed beyond their yield point and will bedeformed. They can then be returned to their original shape by bendingthem back by hand.

The use of shock absorbing and/or deflecting materials in combinationwith the unique shape and construction of the handles 112, 114 andcorner guards 140-143 protect both the protection system 100 and thenotebook computer 200 from impact damages if they are dropped onto ahard surface. The elasticity and shape deformation provided by theprotection system 100 allows the shock force to be transformed to heator other types of energy, and deflected from the notebook computer 200.For instance, when the protection system 100 and notebook computer 200are dropped, it is the handles 112, 114, edges or sides of theprotection system 100, and/or the corner guards 140-143 that come intocontact with hard surface first, instead of the notebook computer 200.In addition, as the parts of the protection system 100 are made ofmaterials that would provide shock absorbance and/or shock deflectionthrough shape deformation, the drop would not impact the notebookcomputer 200 directly. Moreover, the elasticity of the handles 113, 114and/or the corner guards 140-143 allow the protection system 100 and thenotebook computer 100 to bounce, which reduces the impact energy beingtransmitted to the notebook computer 200.

FIG. 3A shows the bottom view of the protection system 100 illustratedin FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3A, the handles 112, 114 are pivotallyattached to the body of the protection system 100 with hinges 161-164.When the protection system 100 is dropped and one of the handles issubject to a shock force indicated by an arrow F in FIG. 3A, theelasticity of the handle allows the handle to deform, to absorb ordeflect the force. In addition, the hinges attached to the handlesfurther encourage or promote deformation and/or shifting movement of thehandles towards the directions indicated by the arrows D in FIG. 3A, toassist absorbance or deflection of the shock force. In one embodiment, ahandle includes only one hinge for pivotally attaching to the body ofthe protection system 100.

FIG. 3B depicts a variation of handle design that provides relativemovement between the handle and the body of the protection system 100.For simplicity of illustration, only the handle 112′ and the bottom ofthe protection system 100 are shown. The handle 112′ is slidebalyattached to the body of the protection system 100 via a combination ofhandle openings 165 and poles 161′, 162′ disposed on the bottom surfaceof the protection system 100. When the handle is subject to an appliedforce F, the handle 112′ glides relative to the poles 161′, 162′ in thedirections shown by arrows D, within the confinement of the openings165. The combination of the gliding movement and deformation of thehandle 112′ renders allows the handle to absorb and/or deflect theimpact force.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate details and the operation of the latch assembly120. The latch assembly 120 includes actuator pins 121, securing latches122 and release buttons 123. The actuator pins 121, the securing latches122 and the release buttons 123 are linked to, and move with, a frame128 that can rock back and forth relative to an axis. A detailed view ofthe linkage between the frame 128, the actuator pins 121 and thesecuring latches 122 is shown in FIG. 4B.

In FIG. 4A, the latch assembly 120 is operating in a disengaging modewhere the portable computer 200 is not yet supported by the protectionsystem 100 and engaged by the latch assembly 120. As shown in FIG. 4A,the actuator pins 121, the securing latches 122, the release buttons 123and the frame 128 are tilting upward at an angle.

FIG. 4C shows the latch assembly 120 operating in an engaging mode forsecuring the notebook computer 200 on the protection system 100. Forsimplicity of illustration, the portable computer 200 is omitted fromFIG. 4B. To attach the notebook computer 200 to the protection system100, the user glides the notebook computer 200 along the surface 102toward the securing brackets 124. Once the end of the notebook computer200 touches the securing brackets 124, the user presses down thenotebook computer 200 onto the surface 102. The docking connector andopenings disposed on the bottom surface of the notebook computer 200connect to the system connector 130 and the locating pins 126,respectively. The notebook computer 200 has two openings on the bottomsurface corresponding to the two actuator pins 121, and two openings onthe side surface corresponding to the securing latches 122. When theuser presses down the notebook computer 200 onto the surface 102, theopenings on the bottom surface engage with the actuator pins 121, andthe notebook computer 200 presses down the tilted actuator pins 121 andthe frame 128 toward the surface 102 of the protection system 100. Dueto this downward pressing movement, the frame 128 rotates relative to afixed axis, causing the securing latches 122 linking to the frame 128 tomove forward toward the side surface of the notebook computer 200 andinsert into the corresponding openings disposed on the side surface ofthe notebook computer 200.

FIG. 4D depicts different perspective views and magnifying view ofpartial parts of the latch assembly 120, specifically, the frame 128,the actuator pins 121, the securing latches 122 and the release buttons123. As shown in FIG. 4D, the latch assembly 120 includes a tension coilspring 125 having one end attached to the body of the protection system100 and the other end attached to the frame 128. The rotation of theframe 128 stretches the tension coil spring 125, which is then locked inplace by a stopper 129. The engagements of the actuator pins 121, thelocating pins 126 and the securing latches 122 with correspondingopenings on the notebook computer 200, as well as the securing brackets124, allow the protection system 100 to securely attach to the notebookcomputer 200, as shown in FIG. 4E.

When the user wants to detach the notebook computer 200 from theprotection system 100, the user simply presses the release buttons 123which releases the stopper 129 to unlock the stretched spring 125. Thereleased spring 125 pulls down the frame 128 to revert to its positionin the disengaging mode where it tilts upward by the pulling forceprovided by the spring 125. The combination of the force from the spring125 and the tilting movements of the frame 128 and the actuator pins 121push up the notebook computer 200 from the surface 102 of the protectionsystem 100. At the same time, the pushing-up motion by the tilting frame128 separates the securing latches 122, the locating pins 126, and thesystem connector 130 from the corresponding openings and connector onthe portable computer 200.

As discussed earlier, the protection system 100 is configured to powerthe notebook computer 200 using an output of a vehicle diagnostic port,such as an OBD II connector, that outputs self-diagnostic information.FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the protection system 100 shownin FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 5, the protection system 100 includes asystem connector 130 for connecting to a matching docking connector 240disposed on the notebook computer 200 when the notebook computer 200 isdocked on the protection system 100. The docking connector 240 and thesystem connector 130 form a signal path between the protection system100 and the notebook computer 200. A vehicle input connector 412 isprovided for connecting to an OBD II connector 462 disposed on a vehicle460, via an OBD II data cable 466. The vehicle 460 further includes oneor more DC output connector 464, such as a cigarette lighter connectoror a 12 volt output connector that are commonly available on manyvehicle. In one embodiment, the protection system 100 includes a vehiclepower input connector 415 for receiving power from a vehicle powerconnector other than the OBD II connector 462.

In one embodiment, the protection system 100 provides an AC connector414 for receiving power from an external AC source 451, such as aregular AC power outlet or an alternator output of the vehicle. Thepower supplied by the external AC source 451 may be converted to DCpower by an adapter external to the protection system 100 or a powerconverter circuit internal to the protection system 100. The protectionsystem 100 may include a battery back 413 to provide DC power to theprotection system 100 and/or to the notebook computer 200.

A power converter 411 is provided to process power inputs from the ACconnector 414, the battery 413, the vehicle input connector 412 and/orthe vehicle power input connector 415, and generate a power outputsignal, such as an output voltage 403, suitable for powering thenotebook computer 200. For instance, the DC voltage from pin 16 of theOBD II connector 462 has a range between +9 volt and +16 volt. The powerconverter 411 is a DC-to-DC converter that converts the DC voltage fromthe OBD II connector 462 to a +16 volt DC output which is suitable forpowering the notebook computer 200. In another embodiment, the powerconverter 411 includes an AC-to-DC converter that converts an AC powersignal to a DC signal that is appropriate for use by the notebookcomputer 200. The output voltage 403 is routed to the system connector130 for relaying to the notebook computer 200 via the connection of thesystem connector 130 and the docking connector 240 on the notebookcomputer 200. The system connector 130 and the docking connector 240 onthe notebook computer specifically define a power supply pin or port,such that the output voltage 403 is properly routed to appropriatecircuit in the notebook computer 200 for powering the notebook computer200 and/or charging a battery disposed in the notebook computer 200.Power converters suitable for implementing the power conversion hereinmay be obtained from Lind Electronics of Minneapolis, Minn.

The protection system 100 includes a protection circuit to preventsituations where the notebook computer 200 is drawing excessive currentfrom the vehicle, which might damage parts and/or circuits of thevehicle. The protection circuit includes a current sensor thatcontinuously monitors a current drawn by the notebook computer 200 fromthe OBD II connector 462 or a current being supplied to the notebookcomputer 200. A microcontroller may be provided to determine whether thedetected current exceeds a safety threshold. If such safety threshold isexceeded, the microcontroller issues a control signal to terminatesupplying power from the OBD II connector 462 to the notebook computer200. For instance, a switch may be provided to decouple the outputvoltage 403 from the system connector 130, such that the output voltage403 ceases to power the notebook computer 200. Once the detected currentdrops below the safety threshold, the microcontroller issues anothercontrol signal to reengage the output voltage 403 with the systemconnector 130. This protection circuit may be implemented as part of thepower converter 411 or as a separate circuit disposed on a circuit boarddisposed in the housing of the protection system 100. It is understoodthat other variations of circuit design other than those describedherein may be used to implement the protection circuit.

Generally, the communications protocols supported by OBD are notcompatible to various standards adopted the notebook computer 200. Theprotection system 100 includes a vehicle interface module (VIM) 401 forconverting diagnostic signals output by the OBD II connector 462 to aprotocol supported by the notebook computer 200, such as the USBstandard, and enabling communications between the notebook computer 200and electronic control units (ECUs) on the vehicle 460, such thatdiagnostic information, like DTCs, can be recognized and/or processed bythe notebook computer 200, and commands issued by the notebook computer200 can be recognized by the ECUs on the vehicle. In one embodiment, thevehicle interface module is external to the protection system 100 and ispowered by a DC output from the protection system 100. The power may beprovided by the battery 413 or by the OBD II connector 462.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the bestmode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modificationsmay be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may beimplemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may beapplied in numerous applications, only some of which have been describedherein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and allapplications, modifications and variations that fall within the truescope of the present teachings.

1. A detachable protection system for protecting a data processingsystem, the protection system comprising: a housing having a surface forsupporting the data processing system; a securing device, disposed onthe housing, configured to detachably secure the data processing systemwhen the data processing system is supported by the surface; and ahandgrip device disposed on each of two opposite sides of the housing.2. The protection system of claim 1 further comprising four cornerguards disposed at four corners of the housing, wherein the cornerguards form a cushioning wall for four corners of the data processingsystem when the data processing system is supported by the surface. 3.The protection system of claim 1, wherein at least one end of eachhandgrip device is movable relative to the housing.
 4. The protectionsystem of claim 3, wherein at least one end of each handgrip device ispivotally or slideably mounted to the housing via a hinge device.
 5. Theprotection system of claim 1, wherein the housing and each handgripdevice are made of an elastic material.
 6. The protection system ofclaim 1, wherein the housing and each hand grip device are made ofspring steel coated with rubber, semi-flexible plastics, Nylon,Polyethylene, PVC, elastomeric materials, TPE, neoprene, EPDM, metals,spring tempered steel, stainless steel, heat treated aluminum, springtempered brass, beryllium copper or phosphor bronze.
 7. The protectionsystem of claim 1, wherein the housing and each handgrip device absorb alower impact force by deflection and spring back to their originalshape, and absorb a higher impact force by deflection and deformation.8. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the surface of the housingforms a depth for receiving the data processing system.
 9. A detachableprotection system for protecting a data processing system, theprotection system comprising: housing means for supporting the dataprocessing system; means for detachably securing the data processingsystem when the data processing system is supported by the housing; andhandgrip means, disposed on each of two opposite sides of the housingmeans, for being held by a user for operating the protection system. 10.The protection system of claim 9 further comprising corner guardingmeans for forming a cushioning wall for four corners of the dataprocessing system when the data processing system is supported by theprotection system.
 11. The protection system of claim 9, wherein atleast one end of the handgrip means is movable relative to the housing.12. The protection system of claim 11, wherein at least one end of eachhandgrip means is pivotally or slideably mounted to the housing meansvia a hinge device.
 13. The protection system of claim 9, wherein thehousing means and the handgrip means are made of an elastic material.14. The protection system of claim 9, wherein the housing means and thehandgrip means are made of spring steel coated with rubber,semi-flexible plastics, Nylon, Polyethylene, PVC, elastomeric materials,TPE, neoprene, EPDM, metals, spring tempered steel, stainless steel,heat treated aluminum, spring tempered brass, beryllium copper orphosphor bronze.